Lamictal question - Please Help

[Butterfly_09]

I had been taking effexor xr for years, but my doctor switched me to lamictal to avoid some of the side effects I had been dealing with. Now I'm only on lamictal and am having some pretty bad depression. My doctor is away for another two weeks (grrr) so I feel like I sort of have to figure out what to do in the short term. Mainly, I want to know if going up on the lamictal will possibly start the anti-depressant effects (Now Im on 200 mg - 150 in the am and 50 at night), or if this drug just isn't good for depression. My doctor recently classified me as bipolar 2, but I have never had a manic moment in my life. Mostly it's been depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

I know that no one here is a doctor, I just want to know if lamictal might be worth sticking with if I go a little higher. Thanks.

[kitkat73]

First, how long have you been on lamictal, and how long at the 200 mg dosage?

I've been on lamictal myself for 8 years now. For several years I was on 425 mg, but last fall, after being relatively stable at that dose for 2 years, I reduced (gradually) to 200 mg. (which is the "standard" dose.) I had some increased depression this winter - which I have a tendency to anyway - and so a few weeks ago I increased again to 250 mg. It seems to be helping a little already, but that might also be because the sun is finally returning here in the high north

Lamictal often takes weeks to kick in - but it's very individual. Sometimes even just a small increase in dosage can make a difference. At one point, when I was going through a really rough patch, an increase from 400 to 425 helped a lot.

Ideally you should talk to your doctor before making any changes. If that is absolutely not an option, and you've been on at 200mg for several weeks already - you could try adding 25 mg, and if that doesn't help within a few weeks, another 25 mg. Just don't expect it to make a difference right away.

I don't think you should give up on lamictal yet, it helps a lot of people, and has proven antidepressant properties. That's not to say it's the best medicine for everyone, but it's worth giving it a proper try. You didn't say anything about side-effects, so at least that's not a issue for you, and shouldn't be with a small increase either.

Good luck!

[kitkat73]

you could try adding 25 mg, and if that doesn't help within a few weeks, another 25 mg. .

Actually, by then you'll have been able to see your doctor, he might advise a slower/faster increase or something else altogether. But a 25mg should be okay to do on your own unless your doctor has given you any reason why you should NOT increase the dosage.

[AngelicLady]

I could be wrong, but I don't think Lamictal is a drug that treats depression. It's a mood stabilizer. A friend of mine takes Lamictal to stabilize mood and Effexor as an anti-depressant. You might need to take an SSRI with the Lamictal. One of her friends has to do the same thing. Is this doctor your primary care doctor or a psychiatrist? If it's a primary care doctor, you might want to find a psychiatrist to prescribe your meds.

[wmblake]

Butterfly: After trying every BP medication, Lamictal was the only drug that helped me at all...and everything, I mean, everything, changed after 2 weeks @ 100mg in the AM. One day, I came home from work, looked around, and thought: "Hmm, looks like a really depressed person has been living here." Suddenly, I actually cared about my life---and I cleaned the place up until it all became beautiful and even safe haven for me. After 1 yr. I went up to 150mg in the AM and I have positive energy all day. My only complaint is that just before bedtime I completely deflate....taking Remeron and Ambien to finally put me to rest. I suggest not to worry and see what happens after 2 weeks or so. If nothing happens, tell the doc! Best wishes.